Bella's POV
Genevieve's cheeks turned scarlet at my words. When she spotted the bruises covering my wrists, she drew in a sharp breath, her eyes shimmering with tears.
She shook her head rapidly. "No, I understand Gideon's character. He might cause trouble sometimes, but he'd never harm you. He simply wouldn't—"
The words died in Genevieve's throat; she couldn't force them out.
Genevieve refused to accept that Gideon could inflict such damage on me. She must believe there's been some mistake.
A child's injury cuts deep into a mother's heart. I'm her daughter. Naturally, Genevieve feels pain for me.
After a tense silence, she trembled and took tentative steps toward me. "Bella?"
I backed away, my expression ice-cold.
What did I expect? Did I honestly think Genevieve would show genuine concern for me?
How pathetic.
The evidence was right there on my skin, yet she couldn't offer even one comforting word.
